This recently renovated home in stunning Waiheke ticks all the boxes when it comes to coastal living. A sturdy weatherboard home, a stunning view of the ocean, a pool and plenty of living spaces. After supplying the lucky owners with new Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in white, we picked their brains for five tips to having a great coastal home and here they are.
1. Make the outdoor living space a priority
Think about including some functional and inclusive outdoor areas. These will become the centre of any party as you cook or enjoy them. Some ideas might be:
- An Argentine fire
- A pizza oven
- Outdoor kitchen
- A pool
- Nooks and chill spots
- A games area with darts, or pétanque
- An outdoor dining area
- A gazebo
- Having a spot for outdoor dining is essential at a coastal getaway. Just make sure to break up any direct sun so that it’s not too hot during the day.
- Build these spots for an ideal number, most likely 6 or 8 so they are intimate yet functional. You can use plants and planters to close in spaces to make them cosy.
- Outdoor fires are mostly illegal now, but if they are a cooking tool, like a pizza oven, councils will often allow them.
- If you’re lucky enough to have (or fit in) a pool, it’s important to make it blend in with the surroundings. For example, their pool utilises stone from Waiheke helping it blend into the natural rock surroundings.
2. Salt and rust are your enemy
It’s essential that you use durable materials that are rust resistant. This includes stainless steel, powder coated aluminium and uPVC.
- Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes are perfect for coastal environments as they are made of long-lasting uPVC which is UV resistant and has a 15-year guarantee.
- Did you know that the quarter-round Stormcloud® profile is New Zealand’s most popular spouting style?
- It has clean, strong lines that suits both traditional and contemporary homes.
- It’s available in white and also Black, Grey Friars® and Ironsand®
3. Think about flooding / storms
Even if your house is well above the tide, you need to make sure everything else is elevated above the possible storm-induced highwater mark.
- This home is north facing and in recent years they’ve had a dramatic increase in coastal northerly storms with heavy rain. This has prompted them to invest in better-than-adequate drainage to avoid any future flooding.
- If you do have an area that may be prone to flooding think about practical flooring and emergency drainage (a sump for instance).
4. Frame the view
Think about framing the view, not dominating it. Do it in a way that uses the view as nature’s artwork. This allows you to enjoy the view from many places in your home.
- White floors, walls and doors allow the view to do the work. Avoid using a lot of colours which will compete with the view.
- A simple interior with a range of natural timbers, tones and textures will work in harmony with a coastal view.
5. Build an escape from the view
Believe it or not, you will need a break from the sunning sea views once in a while!
- Build sheltered, shaded inward-looking spaces to occasionally escape from the view.
- A nook that is dark enough for TV watching during the day allows for a cool escape from the sun.
If that isn’t enough to make you dream of a coastal house for now, or possibly retirement, nothing will!
And if you would like to find out more about Marley Stormcloud® spouting click here.
Or more about the Stratus Design Series® range of colours click here.
